Feds seek 'any and all' Bridgegate docs from panel

A meeting has been called for Feb. 10 fro an update on the status of the investigation into New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's traffic jam scandal.

Federal prosecutors in New Jersey demanded all records from a state legislative committee probing politically motivated lane closings at the George Washington Bridge that tied up traffic for days.

Lawyers in the office of U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman, who is investigating whether crimes took place, sought "any and all records (in whatever form)" obtained by the 12-member committee. The panel is probing why allies of Republican Gov. Chris Christie closed access lanes in Fort Lee, N.J., from Sept. 9 to Sept. 12. The April 17 subpoena directs the committee to meet the request by May 2.

"We are complying," said state Senator Loretta Weinberg, one of the panel's two Democratic co-chairmen. "It's a sign of cooperation, and I think it was not unexpected."

Mr. Fishman's office previously subpoenaed records from Mr. Christie's re-election campaign and the state Republican Committee. The scandal has eroded the popularity of Mr. Christie as he weighs a run for the White House in 2016.

Mr. Christie commissioned a report by lawyers at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, which absolved him last month. It said others tied up traffic to punish the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee for mysterious reasons.

Constitutional Rights

Lawmakers have previously subpoenaed records from 28 people and organizations. Former campaign manager Bill Stepien and deputy chief of staff Bridget Anne Kelly resisted and asserted their constitutional rights against self-incrimination. A state judge blocked their subpoenas, saying they were overbroad and amounted to impermissible fishing expeditions.

The legislative panel this week requested testimony from Patrick Foye, executive director of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, which operates the bridge; William Schuber, a commissioner at the agency; Michael Drewniak, a spokesman for Mr. Christie; and Christina Renna, who worked under Ms. Kelly.

State lawmakers have said they won't interfere with federal prosecutors, who can seek grand jury testimony and subpoena documents as they decide whether to bring charges. Mr. Drewniak testified this month before a U.S. grand jury in Newark, N.J.

"They never indicate why they want documents," said state Assemblyman John Wisniewski, the committee's other co-chairman. "We've always said we're fully willing and ready to cooperate with any of the federal investigations."

The Wall Street Journalearlier reported on the subpoena by Mr. Fishman's office.

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